My shower is in two weeks, and we have been receiving a few gifts at home from people who cannot attend the shower, but wanted to send a gift anyway. I’ve had the gifts for a few weeks now, but was waiting to open them until the shower since they were sent for that reason.

However, I just read somewhere that with gifts sent before the wedding, thank you cards should be sent out promptly – at least within 2 weeks. So, should I go ahead and open the gifts so I can send an earlier thank you, or should I wait until the shower to open them with my other gifts and thank them after (this way I can also include a “sorry you couldn’t make it” blurb, but would be sending the thank yous more than 2 weeks after)??

I’ve received a few early shower gifts, and I’m opening them! I’m in a bit of a different situation – I live in a different state, so some people had my gifts shipped here instead of to my mother’s for the shower – but I’m waiting on my thank yous. Maybe it’s not the best etiquette, but I don’t know if these ladies will be there or not and I figure another week didn’t hurt anyone. I mean, they know they’re early, right? (Emily Post, I am not 🙂 )

I would just open them and send the thank yous now. I just think it’s less of a hassle to do so than to bring the gifts to the shower to open (if that’s what you were thinking of doing). Also, I just like to make sure I thank people right away… I’d hate to forget!

Thanks guys. I should open them now – heck, I already stalked my registry so I know what they are! – but, I feel guilty just ripping into the gifts instead of waiting until the shower which is what they’re for… I already feel it was unnecessary to send a gift since they can’t come and almost feel bad for even inviting them (I knew they wouldn’t make it but wanted them to feel included. I guess now it looks like I was just asking for more gifts)